From the CEO
August 2009: Canada Vacation Part II
Border Crossing & Vacation Activities
posted 9/2009
After six hours of travel, and some scheduled and some unscheduled rest stops, our caravan of cars and vans begin to arrive at the Canadian border. With new border crossing regulations requiring passports for all adults, and increased documentation for our residents, we are anticipating a more challenging crossing. We are not disappointed.
Several of our first vans to attempt to cross the border are directed to the Canadian border crossing offices for more intensive inspection. Having been thoroughly coached as to the seriousness and importance of border security, our guys are very cooperative. Questions are answered, bags are searched, paperwork is checked, and then we proceed on to our next step: the currency exchange/gift shop just across the border.
Once again there is a joyous reunion of staff and residents. Cottages who have passed each other on the interstate swap stories about the ride and rush to change their known American currency for unfamiliar Canadian currency. There is general amazement that $25.00 American brings $26.25 in Canadian money. As cottages come and go at the currency exchange there is news of a problem back at the border. One of our foreign born residents has been stopped at the border, a problem with his paperwork. Fortunately, a senior staff member is present, and after four hours of cross-border shuttle diplomacy, he is able to convince the authorities to allow this young man to continue on to his vacation. We all celebrate and during the week we each find time to reassure this young man that we would never have left him at the border.
Having cleared the border crossing, exchanged our money, and said goodbye to our fellow staff and residents, each cottage proceeds to its final destination. Most sites are about an hour from the border and so within no time at all we are busily unpacking and getting set up for the coming week. But first, given the unusual heat and humidity for Canada, everyone has to jump in the lake! Given that each of our cottage colonies has direct access to a lake it is not long before there is plenty of laughter, splashing, and the general sounds of city kids enjoying their country vacation.
In our next installment: fishing, swimming, and the pancake breakfast!